Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated

Planting zone for 46342 — Hobart, IN

ZIP code 46342 (Hobart, Lake County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost October 25.

Where ZIP 46342 is

Outlined: the ZIP code area · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zone6a−10 to −5 °F
Coldest night−23.3 to −20.6 °C
Last frostApr 22
First frostOct 25
2012 zone5b

Was 5b on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 6a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Hobart, IN…

Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Hobart, IN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 22median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 6only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 25median — 10% chance by Oct 12
Growing season185 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 9 and returns around November 5.

From the NOAA station Valparaiso Wtr Wks, IN — 11 miles away, elevation 801 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in 46342

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Apr 1
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 1 – Apr 15
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 29 – May 13
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 6 – May 20
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 30 – Sep 13
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 11 – Nov 15
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 22) and first fall frost (Oct 25) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 46342 came on Mar 21 — 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 4).

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Native plants for zone 6a in Indiana

558 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Indiana, and rated by the USDA to survive −10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 71

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Farborvitae50 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 105

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAllegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican holly40 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −20 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 200

American bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican licorice4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican speedwell0.8 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Grasses 161

American beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °Farctic brome3 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fbeaked spikerush3 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °FBebb's sedge3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FBicknell's sedge3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Vines 9

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fcatbird grape30 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −13 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °Friverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °Fsummer grape30 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −23 °F

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Hobart, IN.

Soil in Hobart, IN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 46342 is Alida — fine sandy loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH6.2slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter3%moderate
Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Alida fine sandy loam.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 46342; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Hobart, IN

Summer high83 °Faverage high, July
Winter low18 °Faverage low, January
Hot days9days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights124nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,084base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 11 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 10 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation41.7 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 32 °F, low 18 °F 32°18° JanFebruary: average high 36 °F, low 21 °F 36°21° FebMarch: average high 48 °F, low 29 °F 48°29° MarApril: average high 61 °F, low 39 °F 61°39° AprMay: average high 71 °F, low 49 °F 71°49° MayJune: average high 80 °F, low 59 °F 80°59° JunJuly: average high 83 °F, low 63 °F 83°63° JulAugust: average high 81 °F, low 62 °F 81°62° AugSeptember: average high 75 °F, low 54 °F 75°54° SepOctober: average high 64 °F, low 44 °F 64°44° OctNovember: average high 49 °F, low 34 °F 49°34° NovDecember: average high 37 °F, low 24 °F 37°24° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 2.59 in precipitation 2.6 JanFebruary: 2.41 in precipitation 2.4 FebMarch: 2.39 in precipitation 2.4 MarApril: 3.71 in precipitation 3.7 AprMay: 4.43 in precipitation 4.4 MayJune: 4.83 in precipitation 4.8 JunJuly: 4.28 in precipitation 4.3 JulAugust: 4.58 in precipitation 4.6 AugSeptember: 3.55 in precipitation 3.5 SepOctober: 3.76 in precipitation 3.8 OctNovember: 2.84 in precipitation 2.8 NovDecember: 2.36 in precipitation 2.4 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Valparaiso Wtr Wks, IN (11 mi away); precipitation: Winfield 1.2 Ne, IN (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.

464056a
Lake Station, IN · 4 mi
463936a
Wheeler, IN · 4 mi
464096a
Gary, IN · 5 mi
464106a
Merrillville, IN · 5 mi
464076a
Gary, IN · 6 mi
463686a
Portage, IN · 6 mi
464016a
Gary, IN · 6 mi
464036a
Gary, IN · 6 mi

Indiana planting zones →

Questions about 46342

What planting zone is ZIP code 46342?

ZIP code 46342 (Hobart, IN) is in USDA hardiness zone 6a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −10 to −5 °F (−23.3 to −20.6 °C).

When is the last frost in Hobart, IN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 46342 is April 22; after May 6 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Valparaiso Wtr Wks station.

When is the first frost in Hobart, IN?

The median first fall frost near 46342 is October 25, giving a median frost-free growing season of 185 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 46342?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 25 – Mar 11 and set transplants outside around Apr 29 – May 13, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 46342 get?

About 41.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Winfield 1.2 Ne station).

How hot do summers get in Hobart, IN?

The average high peaks at 83 °F in July, with about 9 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 46342 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Alida at the center of ZIP 46342: fine sandy loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 6.2 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Hobart, IN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 46342 came on Mar 21 in 2026, 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 4), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Hobart, IN?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 46342 is 15 h 11 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 46342 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 46342 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.